2013 Stellar Awards Performers Announced

by snap twig

DMV-area artists Maurette Brown Clark, Y’Anna Crawley, and Jason Nelson are among the performers who will take the stage at the 28th Annual Stellar Awards at the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville, TN on January 19 for its first ever live primetime broadcast on the Gospel Music Channel at 7:00 p.m. EST

Recently deceased Inez Andrews will be feted with the Ambassador Bobby Jones Legend Award for over five decades in music as a singer and foremost songwriter in gospel.

“Ms. Andrews has paved the way for female artists and has had a major impact on the Gospel Music Industry all the way up to her untimely passing in December of 2012,” said Stellar Awards executive producer and Central City Productions CEO Don Jackson, who credits Ms. Andrews’ participation in the Stellar Awards as one of the most significant reasons for the success of the show today according to a press release.

Continued Jackson, “Inez Andrews loved the Stellar Awards and performed with the Caravans many times during the early years of the show.”

Remaining members of the legendary Caravans Shirley Caesar, Dorothy Norwood and Deleores Washington will perform.

In recognition of his 22-year career in gospel music, legend-in-the-making Kurt Carr will be honored with the James Cleveland Lifetime Achievement Award. Notably, Carr was the director and pianist for the late Rev. Cleveland himself. The Kurt Carr Singers will be on hand to sing.

A special honor will also be presented to Bishop T.D. Jakes. The Dallas pastor will receive the Thomas Dorsey Notable Achievement Award for among other accomplishments in 2012, the film remake of “Sparkle,” the release of his latest book “Let It Go”; the independent release of NAACP Image Award nominated film “Woman Thou Art Loosed: On the 7th Day.”

Available at Ticket Master, ticket prices for the Live Show range from $55 – $200. Balcony seats are available for students for $35.

Fans will have an opportunity to see more gospel stars prior to the Stellar Awards broadcast at the Pre-Show. The Stellar Gospel Music Awards Pre Show will be held on Friday, January 18, 2013 at the Tennessee Performing Arts Center to announce winners of the non-televised awards categories. Tickets for this event are $10.00 for Sagma members and $12.50 for non-Sagma members, and can be purchased at tpac.org. The event will be hosted by Lexi and VaShawn Mitchell, with performances by Dorinda Clark Cole, William Murphy and Jessica Reedy to name a few. Additionally, The Stellar Awards Gospel Radio Award & Showcase brunch will be held the morning of January 19 to honor the top radio stations serving urban Gospel music audiences.

The 28th Stellar Gospel Music Awards will be co-hosted by Kirk Franklin and Mary Mary.